Zhuang et al., 2007. Source separation of household
waste: A case study in China. Waste Management. Article in Press.
doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2007.08.012
Abstract
A pilot program concerning source separation of
household waste was launched in Hangzhou, capital city of Zhejiang province,
China. Detailed investigations on the composition and properties of household
waste in the experimental communities revealed that high water content and high
percentage of food waste are the main limiting factors in the recovery of
recyclables, especially paper from household waste, and the main contributors to
the high cost and low efficiency of waste disposal. On the basis of the investigation, a novel
source separation method, according to which household waste was classified as
food waste, dry waste and harmful waste, was proposed and
performed in four selected communities. In addition, a corresponding
household waste management system that involves all stakeholders, a recovery
system and a mechanical dehydration system for food waste were constituted to
promote source separation activity. Performances and the questionnaire survey
results showed that the active support and investment of a real estate company
and a community residential committee play important roles in enhancing public
participation and awareness of the importance of waste source separation. In comparison with the conventional mixed
collection and transportation system of household waste, the established source
separation and management system is cost-effective. It could be extended
to the entire city and used by other cities in China as a source of reference.